playshis first act of hypocrisy by judging Hamlet in front of Ophelia just a few lines later by saying Donot believe his vows, for they are brokers, not of that dye which their investments show, but mereimplorators of unholy suits, breathing like sanctified and pious bawds the better to beguile (II. iii136-140). He later speaks with Reynaldo and asks him to spy on his son, while still assuming theauthoritative figure he displayed to Laertes and Ophelia. Polonius seems incapable of acting in anhonest manner. His actions are reminiscent of a hunter's job; using all his wit to uncover theunwary prey in a roundabout way. He even uses hunters' terminology. "Windlasses" (II. i. 72)means an indirect approach in hunting. He talks of the "bait of falsehood" (II. i. 70), beingdishonest to the "prey", Laertes, and even to the people who are to help him catch the "prey", theacquaintances. Polonius wants to catch "the carp of truth". This topic is echoed later on whenHamlet calls Polonius a "fishmonger". His methods of finding out the truth suggest that Poloniusis not concerned about Laertes well-being; rather Polonius is worried how Laertes is making himlook. Polonius has an inclination toward cynicism and suspicion of other people. For Polonius,acting rotten comes so naturally that he expects other people to also be like that. His tonesuggests that he is at ease and not at all sorry about using dishonest methods or doubting theirdecency. In fact, his vanity makes him very proud of his crafty strategies.Polonius puts on an entirely different mask for his superiors, including Hamlet. He playsan ignorant and eulogistic character when he is speaking to Hamlet, which is entirely contrastingto his authoritative character he portrayed to Laertes, Ophelia, and Reynaldo. He makes smalltalk with Hamlet in Act II. sc. ii and keeps his comments and questions short and brief. It is ironicthat Polonius agrees with Hamlet when he says To be hones...
